'“There will be some nights like that,” Paille said after practice Thursday in the arena. “I’ve got to forget about how that goes and try to focus on the right things. Even in the first period of that game, we were kind of sloppy. We have two days to recuperate [before Saturday’s home game against Carolina], have good practices and learn from our mistakes.”'

'“I think there’s always concern when you miss [practice],” Ruff said. “We’re hoping [today] that he’ll be a lot better than he was doing [Thursday]. He actually put his skate on and tried but it was pretty tender.”'

'The virtual walks – dubbed “Shuffle Off to Buffalo” and “Here We Go to Lake Oswego” – were facilitated by the Buffalo Sabres and are sponsored by BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York, corporate support partner of the Dr. Lydia T. Wright School of Excellence and the health plan provider of the Buffalo Sabres. BlueCross BlueShield supplied pedometers so students can track their progress.'

'In the letters, the Sabres offer to talk about signing a long term affiliation. But the January letter says "we would also be interested in discussing an outright purchase of the Americans." In the April letter, Quinn writes, "we are prepared to purchase the team as an asset purchase at a fair market value."'

‘So Stempniak has been a poor man’s version — relatively speaking — of the Sabres’ Thomas Vanek. A former college star has a breakout offensive year, leading his team in goals in his second NHL season and hits the financial jackpot. But unlike Vanek, Stempniak insists that he hasn’t felt the burden of living up to his lucrative new deal.’

‘“I was happy to score a goal of course but I’m more disappointed for the team,” said Sekera, a 21-year-old native of the Czech Republic. “We didn’t deserve [to win] because we didn’t play very well.”’